A shame that Parr is leaving, and I'm saying that because Frank Williams has poured positive remarks over him all the time, so he must've been valuable. He says Parr wants a "better balance in life", so while his wife is hopefully still with him, it could indeed have been something like that; she was fed up and threatening to leave.
His replacement I know nothing about.

Surprising turn of events considering the team look to be on the way up again. Given the lack of detail I assume it's a personal issue, so we just have to respect his decision and move on.

It might have actually come at a good time. With a major team reshuffle, they can have the new guy settle in without it feeling like he's the only new part of the team. Hopefully the team continues its upward trend.

If he left along with Sam Michaels last year I wouldn't mind, but now that team has found a good form I hope this won't distabilize it (although it's more of an political position which doesn't effect car development)

@adamcooperf1: #F1 Given the timing one could speculate that there may have been some internal strife at Williams re the Concorde Agreement
@adamcooperf1: #F1 'Tis said on the grapevine that Bernie Ecclestone is not a member of the Adam Parr Fan Club...

@adamcooperf1: #F1 Given the timing one could speculate that there may have been some internal strife at Williams re the Concorde Agreement@adamcooperf1: #F1 'Tis said on the grapevine that Bernie Ecclestone is not a member of the Adam Parr Fan Club...

...@adamcooperf1: #F1 'Tis said on the grapevine that Bernie Ecclestone is not a member of the Adam Parr Fan Club...

And Max said that Whitmarsh is a dimwit (or words to that effect). I don't think the team principals let themselves be swayed by external opinions like that. Especially in this case, since SFW has stood by Parr at all times bad. So when the times seems to be getting good (witness second rate drivers mixing it at the top) I wouldn't think SFW's support would wane.

What a strange sequence of events... within weeks of Frank stepping down and announcing Parr as his natural successor, and with one of the most competitive cars for almost a decade in their hands, he leaves and is replaced by a professional businessman.

I can't believe that relationships with Bernie are so sensitive in the paddock that it is impossible for a chairman that he does not like to retain his job. Bernie doesn't like anyone, only the deals.

Or is threatening to. Obviously most in F1 are well compensated and it must be great seeing all the exotic places but life on the road is hard, especially on families, even more so now the season stretches right to the back end of November.

If Bernie does have anything to do with this then it's fair to say that the FOM is probably a little too far into the team's affairs.....forcing an MD out of a company because you're finding him difficult to work with (i'll assume the alternative for Bernie was refusing to deal with him and letting the team suffer financially as a result) is beyond the pail, entirely inappropriate behaviour.

"Mercedes and Williams have yet to agree to the new Concorde Agreement, the pact between F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the teams, because they would like extra bonuses based on their history in the sport."

I don't like Parr's attitude but if he was the driving force behind the recent changes then he's an asset to the team. I can't see Frank caring about anything other than that, he won't be swayed by Bernie, he's a hard headed Blue-Blood of F1.

Unfortunately I would say health is the most likely excuse, hope i'm wrong though.

@EliGP: According to Spanish media, Parr and his replacement Rose have both left Williams. Poor Rose couldn't even start in his new job...
@EliGP: We are talking about newspapers with more than one F1 correspondent here

@EliGP: According to Spanish media, Parr and his replacement Rose have both left Williams. Poor Rose couldn't even start in his new job...@EliGP: We are talking about newspapers with more than one F1 correspondent here

Claire? She literally just got the director of marketing job to replace Dominic Reilly (who's also ironically leaving on March 30th) I doubt she's in any way related to Parr leaving.

But the haste of Parr's resignation is weird. Nobody resigns with 4 days notice so either he has some personal issues (hope not) or Bernie is somehow involved in this.

Well one theory may be that Parr really was there with goals to take the complete leadership and maybe saw some things that made him realize than in future years that role will go to William's daughter and didn't want to waste his time anymore.

@EliGP: According to Spanish media, Parr and his replacement Rose have both left Williams. Poor Rose couldn't even start in his new job...@EliGP: We are talking about newspapers with more than one F1 correspondent here

I doubt that's accurate

Nick Rose, Chairman, said, “I would like to thank the Board for nominating me as Non-Executive Chairman of Williams. When I joined the Company, my single purpose was to help restore the team to its former glory. Frank and the Board believe that I can best do this as Chairman and I gladly accept this responsibility. A lot of good work has been done to get us to this point but we must continue to work hard if we are to achieve our objectives.” http://www.williamsf.../news/view/2096

nobody does a 180 in the space of minutes

EDIT:

Well one theory may be that Parr really was there with goals to take the complete leadership and maybe saw some things that made him realize than in future years that role will go to William's daughter and didn't want to waste his time anymore.

well that's long term, Claire isn't in any way shape or form Chairwoman ready right now. So the 4 day notice from Parr would make no sense. But who knows

@EliGP: According to Spanish media, Parr and his replacement Rose have both left Williams. Poor Rose couldn't even start in his new job...@EliGP: We are talking about newspapers with more than one F1 correspondent here

This sounds weird.

Could be some sort of fight for the total leadership in the team. Frank and his daughter have to have som part in it.

Williams hasn't signed the new Concorde Agreement with Bernie. That's the first time ever that Williams hasn't asked "how high" when Bernie has told them to jump.

Only one other large team hasn't signed, Mercedes and they're possibly on their way out of F1.

Ahh, but I think you are wrong. Mr E has told Frank to jump very high. His request being get rid of that IDIOT Parr. Frank jumped higher than he ever has done. I am sure when we see the next financial results from the PLC there will be a one off payment somewhere in there to MR A.PARR.

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Parr was an obstacle for Williams to get a good deal with Bernie.. wouldn't be the first time..

There's a story going along the lines of Williams being scheduled to meet Ecclestone last week for the Cooncorde negos, and Bernie wanted to deal with Frank Williams directly, and definitely not with Parr..

Isn't it more likely that Parr was in fact pushing for what anyone in his position would consider a "fair" deal, but that alone made him Public Enemy #1 with Bernie?

I'd bet my own money that McLaren and Red Bull didn't get what they're actually "worth" to F1 - maybe Ferrari did, but the others are dreaming - it's more a case getting as "good" a deal out of Bernie as possible. Maybe Parr was playing hardball and Bernie didn't like it?